Villopoto Takes the 450 Title

US MX

JGR Yamaha’s Justin Brayton appeared to have taken the holeshot
at the first-ever Utah National held at Miller Motorsports Park, but
unfortunately for Brayton, the Motorcycle Superstore Holeshot is actually in
the second turn. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto was able to cut to
the inside of Brayton through the turn following the first downhill. With a
clear track ahead, Villopoto began to do what he does best, and that’s separate
himself from the rest of the pack as they battled amongst themselves in the
opening laps.

Second-place Justin Brayton had Honda Muscle Milk’s Trey Canard
right behind him, and not too far back was James Stewart and Ryan Dungey going
back and forth for fourth. Canard made his way past Brayton, and so did Dungey
after his multi-lap battle with Stewart. Peick even got by Stewart at one
point, but Stewart rallied to pass Peick and Brayton. Next in Stewart’s sights
was Canard, who had been passed by Dungey when he failed to triple the tunnel
jump.

Villopoto already mustered up a 20-second lead as he rounded the
track into the sixth lap. Peick was able to get by Brayton for fifth, and
Stewart started closing in on Canard. Stewart, who was able to stay lower while
jumping over the dragon’s back, finally got by Canard. Canard came back firing
though. He cut to the inside of the Motorcycle Superstore Holeshot corner, but
Stewart squared up and made the pass back on Canard. Unfortunately for Stewart,
his third-place ride didn’t last long. The Yoshimura Suzuki rider pulled off
after the start straight, holding his back as he rode back to the pits.

Meanwhile, Tyla Rattray had come out of nowhere and was a
top-five force to be reckoned with. He was all over Peick for multiple laps.
The two went back and forth, and even closed in on Canard at one point, but
Rattray eventually claimed the position. Canard picked up his pace and pulled
away from the two before Rattray could let his momentum take control of the situation.

With, two laps left Malcolm Stewart took Justin Barcia wide
around the holeshot corner and put him into the hay bales. Barcia went down and
was visibly upset as Stewart rode away with banner stuck in his rear wheel.
None of this mattered for Villopoto, though, as he went on to take the win with
a huge margin over Dungey.

Moto 2:

The second 450 moto was certainly a race of attrition. Four
riders—including Stewart and Reed—did not line up for the start and only 24
riders completed the race. However, this had little impact on the championship
battle between Ryan Villopoto and Ryan Dungey.

Villopoto put himself in a good position to seal the
championship right off the start, placing his Kawasaki right behind Motorcycle
Superstore Holeshot Award winner Ryan Sipes. Trey Canard separated Villopoto
and Dungey, and Justin Brayton rounded out the early top five with Justin
Barcia right behind him.

Villopoto made quick work of Sipes, passing him within the first
few turns. Dungey was also able to make an early pass on Canard for third, and
then he got Sipes for second before the end of the first lap. Villopoto only
had a two-second lead on Dungey going into the second lap, so he wasn’t in the
clear yet.

Barcia was able to move past Brayton for fifth before the completion
of the first lap. Sipes ended up dropping behind both Canard and Barcia after a
few laps, allowing the two Honda Muscle Milk riders to find each other as the
race progressed.

Rattray was once again on the move in the second moto. The Pro
Circuit Kawasaki rider started outside of the top ten and charged forward all
the way up to fifth, right behind Barcia. Rattray looked poised to challenge
Barcia—who wasn’t too far from Canard at the time—but was spotted pulling off
the track after putting in such an impressive rider through the first half of
the moto. Malcolm Stewart and Broc Tickle also went back to the pits early
around the same time.

Villopoto had opened up a 10-second gap on Dungey by the halfway
mark and continued to put in strong laps until he took the checkered flag for
the championship. Dungey and Canard rounded out the podium, with Barcia and
Peick taking top-five positions. Peick, a full-on privateer, was able to put in
an impressive 5-5 day.

Photo: Villopoto crosses the line for his second title in three years. (Photo: George Crosland)